How important is a 4 year degree

[KGauer727]

How vital is it to have a Bachelors degree when entering in to the Police field? I know most departments don't care what the degree is in, as long as you have one. Just wondering if not having one, or having just an Associates will be looked down upon when someone puts in their application.

[Jennifer]

How vital is it to have a Bachelors degree when entering in to the Police field? I know most departments don't care what the degree is in, as long as you have one. Just wondering if not having one, or having just an Associates will be looked down upon when someone puts in their application.

I am not sure about local PDs but many Federal LEO positions want a 4 year degree and/or a couple of years of qualifying experience. At least the agencies I have applied to.

[Kimble]

Depends entirely on two things: 1) what the minimum requirements are for the agency you apply to (which you can find this out by looking at their website or talking to a recruiter), and 2) what their hiring pool of candidates qualifications are. If the department only requires a HS diploma, but everyone applying to them is former military with BS degrees, having an AS degree alone likely won't cut it. Also, if the department requires a bachelors degree (which some do), an AS degree won't cut it either. However, typically speaking, an AS degree can help, a BS degree can help more, and military or professional work experience can help. If you have a combination of work and education, you're usually in the top tier of applicants.

[retdetsgt]

In mine, we no longer require a bachelor's to be hired, but in reality to be promoted to Sgt., you should have one to be competitive. Most of our command personnel, but not all have masters.

But every department is different. Twenty departments will probably have twenty different written and unwritten requirements and expectations.

[bllewellyn]

A 4 year degree, while being a nice thing to have, is just a sheet of paper. If you want to be a strong candidate for the position, plan on enlisting.

[retdetsgt]

A 4 year degree, while being a nice thing to have, is just a sheet of paper. If you want to be a strong candidate for the position, plan on enlisting.

Not necessarily. A number of agencies require a degree, but I've never seen one that requires military experience. The primary strength that military service gives you is veteran's points.